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Breast Cancer Risk Assessment

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women (other than skin cancer). The American Cancer Society reports the breast cancer death rate is declining, probably due to earlier detection and improved treatment. This short assessment will help you determine if you have major risk factors for breast cancer. It is not a complete assessment of all risks. For a complete evaluation of your risks, see your health care provider

8. If you have had a child, how old were you when your first child was born?

9. Do you drink more than one alcoholic beverage a day? Yes No

10. Do you smoke? Yes No

11. If any women in your family have had breast cancer, check their relationship to you (check all that apply) Mother Daughter Sister Aunt (mother’s or father’s sister) Grandmother No family history of breast cancer.

12. Was your mother, sibling, or child diagnosed with breast cancer before the age of 50? Yes No

13. Have you had or do you have uterine cancer? Yes No

14. Have you had or do you have ovarian cancer? Yes No

Your Results

Because of your age, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is very low.

Because of your age, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is low.

Because of your age alone, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is slightly higher than for a younger woman.

Because of your age, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is moderate. However, because you have risk factors other than age (listed below), your immediate risk is higher than others in your age group.

Because of your age alone, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is high.

Because of your age alone, your immediate risk for developing breast cancer is high. The additional risk factors you have reported (listed below) increase that risk further over a same-age person without risk factors.

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. Children rarely develop breast cancer. In fact, the incidence doesn't begin to rise until around age 17, but even then the incidence is low. Beginning about age 45, the risk begins to rise rapidly..

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. Children rarely develop breast cancer. In fact, the incidence doesn't begin to rise until around age 17, but even then the incidence is low. Between the ages of 45 and 65, your immediate risk of developing breast cancer increases, especially for women who have risk factors other than age. According to the American Cancer Society, about two out of three cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in women ages 55 and older.

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. Children rarely develop breast cancer. In fact, the incidence doesn't begin to rise until around age 17, but even then the incidence is low. Beyond age 45, your immediate risk of developing breast cancer increases, especially if you have other risk factors. These risk factors, especially if they are significant, will put you at increasingly higher risk as you grow older.

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. At age 65 or older, your risk for breast cancer increases with each passing year. According to the American Cancer Society, about two out of three cases of invasive breast cancer occur after age 55, with the majority after age 65. Other risk factors, if they are present, become increasingly important in determining the risk of developing breast cancer in women older than 65.

Age is the greatest risk factor for developing breast cancer. At age 65 or older, your risk for breast cancer increases with each passing year. According to the American Cancer Society, about two out of three cases of invasive breast cancer occur after age 55, with the majority after age 65. Other risk factors become increasingly important in determining the risk of developing breast cancer in women older than 65.

Because you are younger than 17, you have almost no immediate risk of developing breast cancer even if you have other risk factors, listed below. Any risk factors you do have, especially if they are significant, will put you in increasingly higher risk categories as you grow older.

Because you are not yet 45 years old, your immediate risk of developing breast cancer is low even if you have other risk factors, listed below. Any risk factors you do have, especially if they are significant, will put you in increasingly higher risk categories as you grow older.

Your risk factors and their significance, according to this assessment, are listed below. Other risk factors are not covered here. Talk with your health care provider to review all of your risk factors, what can be done about them, and what they may mean in your case.

Risk factors of high significance

Age

Family history of breast cancer

Family history of early onset breast cancer

Personal history of uterine cancer

Personal history of ovarian cancer

Risk factors of moderate significance

Obesity: A BMI of places you in the obese category, which increases your risk moderately.

Drinking alcoholic beverages: The risk for developing breast cancer increases with the amount of alcohol consumed, the American Cancer Society says. If you have no more than one drink a day, your risk rises by only a very small amount. Women who have two to five drinks a day have about 1-1/2 times the risk of women who don't drink.

First childbirth after age 30

Risk factors of mild significance

Ethnicity: Caucasians have an increased incidence of breast cancer when compared with African-Americans, Asians, or Hispanics. However, they have a decreased mortality when compared with the same group.

Ethnicity: African-Americans actually have a lower incidence of breast cancer than Caucasians but are diagnosed later, when the disease is more difficult to treat. As a result, they are more likely to die of the disease.

Ethnicity: Hispanics are less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than Caucasian women. However, diagnosis is usually later, when the disease is more difficult to treat. As a result, they are more likely to die of the disease.

Overweight: A BMI of places you in the overweight category, which increases your risk slightly.

Smoking: The American Cancer Society does not consider smoking a significant risk for breast cancer but does recognize that there is conflicting evidence in the medical literature. Because smoking is clearly associated with numerous cancers, it is a good idea to do all you can to quit smoking.

First childbirth after age 30

Menarche (onset of menstruation) before age 12

Menopause after age 55

Your risk factors

You have indicated no risk factors for breast cancer.

You have indicated no risk factors for breast cancer other than age.

About risk factors and preventive screening

Some risk factors, such as age, family medical history, and no full-term pregnancies, cannot be changed. However, others—such as weight, smoking, and alcohol consumption—can be modified. If you have risk factors that are modifiable, you should consider making lifestyle changes to reduce those risks. You should avoid alcohol, quit smoking, lose weight if you need to, and exercise regularly. If you have children, breast-feeding them for several months can reduce your breast cancer risk. After menopause, you should avoid hormone therapy. In addition, a healthy diet and adequate exercise may reduce breast cancer risk.

A large portion of the women with breast cancer have no risk factors. Having risk factors does not mean that you will develop breast cancer. But having risk factors is a good reason to discuss them with your physician and schedule preventing screening.

Whether you have risk factors or not, it is important to follow the national breast cancer screening guidelines. Here are recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) for screenings:

The ACS recommends yearly screening for all women ages 40 and older. Women should talk with their doctors about their personal risk factors before making a decision about when to start getting mammograms or how often they should get them. (A mammogram is an X-ray of breast tissue. The X-ray is taken by compressing the breast firmly between a plastic plate and a cassette that contains special X-ray film.

The ACS recommends clinical breast exams (CBEs) at least every three years for all women in their 20s and 30s. The ACS recommends annual CBEs for women ages 40 and older..

The ACS says BSEs are an option for women 20 and older as a means of familiarizing themselves with their breasts so they can notice changes more easily. Talking with your doctor about the benefits and limitations can help you decide if you should start performing BSEs.

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional health care. Always consult with a health care provider for advice concerning your health. Only your health care provider can determine if you have breast cancer.

This assessment is not intended to replace the evaluation of a health care professional.